What is a threat in the context of a game? Can they affect the outcome? A snippet from our larger Practical Game Theory at PAX East 2013, we briefly explore some aspects of threatmaking in games, and what it truly means to make a "credible" threat.

Presented at PAX East 2013 on Saturday in the Tabletop Theatre, our 21st PAX panel/lecture, in "Mastering Game Mechanics" we take you through a variety of "game mechanics" and consider their use and purpose.

Despite the staggeringly vast variety of games out there in the world, they draw primarily from a core set of basic mechanics. Many games which at first seem very different share fundamental design patterns, subgames, and strategies. What is a “draft,” and more importantly, what is its true function? Where to rondels come into play? What is the purpose of an arbitrary decision? What does “skill based movement” mean for a game? Are all auctions created equally?

Whether you are a player, maker, or even simply observer of games, understanding these core components will provide a surprising degree of insight into their nature. Join us in our 21st PAX panel to explore the nature, lexicon, design, and strategy of game mechanics, drawing from videogames, board games, even role playing games and sports.

This is a snippet of discussion prior to the recording of an unrelated show, where we were discussing the current book club book. After describing the basic premise, Scott goes on to point out that "I used to be an Adventurer, but I took an arrow to the knee" and its ilk (made famous by Skyrim and the resultant memes) seem to come originally from this very book. It may be a coincidence though. We then discuss the mechanics of an arrow going into one's knee.

Coming to you live from the Everfree Forest, it's Radio Free Equestria!

Join Rym and Scott, the hosts of GeekNights (www.frontrowcrew.com), bringing you the news and commentary our dear Princess Celestia doesn't want you to see! My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, but power reigns supreme.

The Changeling threat was averted, but why exactly was their goal in the first place? Was taking Canterlot really necessary, when they could easily have overrun smaller outlying towns? How did love and friendship interact with magic to allow Shining Armor to renew the shield? What exactly allowed Cadence to "go Celestia", complete with the hair?

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider hats. That, however, is mostly an afterthought as we GeekBite Prometheus, complain about GoPro's extra shoddy bicycle mount (three broke between us just recently), and the Department of Justice is finally going after the big cable companies over their monopolistic and anticompetitive practices.

Coming to you live from the Everfree Forest, it's Radio Free Equestria!

Join Rym and Scott, the hosts of GeekNights (www.frontrowcrew.com), bringing you the news and commentary our dear Princess Celestia doesn't want you to see! My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, but power reigns supreme.

Shining Armour surrounded Canterlot in a magic shield to repel a "threat" (which ended up being the changelings), but how exactly did this shield work? How did Luna get in overnight? Why did she open a hole, while the train went through the shield itself? What exactly was the Royal Guard mobilized for if, one, the shield was doing all the work, and two, they were utterly useless when it fell anyway?